Police probe MP Ihlam over 'hot water' threat to lawmakers

The police have commenced an investigation against Dhangethi MP Ilham Ahmed over a threat he made to lawmakers.

At a rally of ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) in March 2017 regarding the joint opposition's resolution to seek a motion of no confidence against parliament speaker Abdulla Maseeh, Ilham had said that “if you want to touch hot water, then go ahead and vote. Give your votes from within us [PPM] if you want to touch hot water. Even those outside of us [opposition lawmakers] will give their votes because they want to touch hot water.”

However, he had later shifted sides and signed the opposition's petition seek a censure motion against Maseeh.

Nolhivaram MP Hussain Areef had requested the police to investigate the matter in March last year, almost a year before the probe commenced. Ilham is now critical of the ruling party and government, and has started working with the opposition coalition.

The police had questioned Ilham regarding the case last week. He was detained immediately after he returned to the Maldives after spending several months abroad. Though he was soon released, the police had issued a notice ordering him to present himself at Police Headquarters. He remains in custody after handing himself in.